Spring-Actuated Door Wedge with High Friction Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door wedges do not effectively employ a spring to exert a direct upward force on the door, lack interconnection between upper and lower wedge members, and do not incorporate high friction materials on contacting surfaces, limiting their efficiency and efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A door wedge apparatus with a compressible spring interconnected between U-shaped wedge members, a pivot pin, and high friction materials on both surfaces to apply a direct upward force and ensure secure contact without intervening members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spring is used in door wedge apparatus, then upward force is applied to the door, but the spring does not directly connect to the door or floor-contacting wedge members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring interconnection function directly into the wedge members by providing a first interconnection feature on the upper wedge member and a second interconnection feature on the lower wedge member that receive the spring. This eliminates intervening components and creates a direct force transmission path from the spring to both wedge members, resolving the contradiction between applying upward force and maintaining simple structure.
2Reliability
If high friction material is added to contacting surfaces, then secure grip is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high friction material specifically to the local areas where the wedge members contact the door and floor, rather than coating the entire wedge. The first high friction material is applied to a first surface of the upper wedge member that contacts the door, and the second high friction material is applied to a second surface of the lower wedge member that contacts the floor. This localized application provides secure grip while minimizing additional complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a durable, efficient, and cost-effective door wedge that maintains doors open with a direct upward force and secure grip, suitable for various environments and door sizes, with adjustable spring strength and easy installation.
Implementation Method 1
A compressible spring is interconnected between the first wedge member and the second wedge member at a location distal from the pivot pin
Implementation Method 2
a first quantity of high friction material is bonded to the first wedge member bottom surface, and a second quantity of high friction material is bonded to the second wedge member top surface
Data Source
AI summary
A wedge apparatus includes a first wedge member and a second wedge member. A pivot pin is interconnected between a front end of the first wedge member and a front end of the second wedge member. A compressible spring is interconnected between the first wedge member and the second wedge member at a location distal from the pivot pin. The first wedge member can be substantially U-shaped and can include upwardly oriented first flange portions. Similarly, the second wedge member can be substantially U-shaped and can include downwardly oriented second flange portions. The U-shaped second wedge member is nested within the U-shaped first wedge member when the compressible spring is fully compressed between the first wedge member and the second wedge member. Preferably, a quantity of high friction material is bonded to the first wedge member bottom surface, and a second quantity of high friction material is bonded to the second wedge member top surface.